Kingsport man charged in stabbing

From staff reports
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Mar 25, 2018 at 12:58 AM

KINGSPORT — One man is behind bars and another is in serious but stable condition following a stabbing at a Sullivan Gardens apartment Saturday.

According to a Kingsport Police Department news release, at approximately 5 p.m., patrol officers and other first responders were dispatched to Fox Haven Apartments No. 10, 2800 Sullivan Gardens Parkway.

At the scene, they found a 65-year-old white male who had sustained a life-threatening knife wound to the neck. The victim was immediately transported by Sullivan County EMS to a local hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery. He is listed in serious but stable condition.

The victim and several acquaintances were inside the apartment when an altercation took place between him and Jeffrey A. Johnson, who stabbed the victim in the neck with a knife, police say.

One of the other acquaintances attempted to call 9-1-1 several times; however, each time she tried, Johnson reportedly took the phone away from her, ordered her not to call the authorities and told her that the victim would be fine.

When the woman was finally able to contact 9-1-1, Johnson attempted to leave; however, another acquaintance was able to prevent him from doing so until police arrived.

Johnson, 54, of Kingsport, was arrested and charged with criminal attempt to commit second-degree murder and interference with emergency calls to 9-1-1. He was transported to the Kingsport City Jail where he remains confined, pending arraignment, in lieu of a $50,000 bond.